Warwickshire Bears sign Pratika Rawal for One-Day Cup

By Arjun Nair / 28.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

Warwickshire Women have announced the signing of India batter Pratika Rawal for the remainder of the 2026 domestic season. Rawal is expected to bolster the county side’s batting lineup in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Her availability for selection begins with Warwickshire’s next One-Day Cup fixture on August 19.

The signing comes as the Bears aim to secure a spot in the tournament’s eliminators. Warwickshire currently holds fifth place in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup standings and is working towards finishing within the top three to qualify for the knockout stage.

Rawal’s Return and Impact

This move marks Rawal’s return to competitive cricket following a knee injury. The injury had previously ruled her out of India’s one-off Test against England at Lord’s. She sustained the injury during an India A match in Taunton on July 1, which required stitches and prevented her from participating in the landmark Test. Rawal was initially named in India’s squad and was already in England representing India A in a three-match one-day series against England A. She played the opening match but suffered the injury during the second game, not batting in the run chase and missing the final match of the series before being ruled out of the Lord’s Test. Priya Punia was later named as her replacement.

The club believes Rawal’s arrival will provide additional firepower at the top of the batting order during the crucial closing stages of the competition. Welcoming the India opener, the club stated that her addition would strengthen the squad as they seek to conclude the season strongly.

Ali Maiden, head coach for Warwickshire Bears Women, expressed his satisfaction with the signing. He noted that the team is in a good position in the One Day Cup table and that bringing in a player of Rawal’s calibre can only serve to strengthen their lineup as they look to finish the season positively. The club stated, “It’s a great signing for the team, and we are most pleased to be able to welcome Pratika to Edgbaston. Our position in the One Day Cup table at the moment is a good one, and bringing in a player of Pratika’s calibre can only serve to strengthen our team as we aim to end the season on a positive note.”

Player’s Perspective and Career Highlights

Rawal shared her enthusiasm about joining Warwickshire, stating she had heard many positive things about the club. She expressed excitement to begin and contribute to the team as much as possible. Rawal also mentioned that testing herself by playing in England would be a valuable experience. She is particularly looking forward to playing at Edgbaston, which she described as an iconic ground in world cricket.

Rawal has quickly established herself as one of India’s prominent batting talents since her international debut in December 2024. She holds the record for being the fastest woman to achieve 500 ODI runs, reaching this milestone in just eight innings. The opener also played a significant role in India’s successful Women’s ODI World Cup campaign in 2025. During that tournament, she scored 308 runs, which included a century against New Zealand, contributing to the team’s title victory. Warwickshire Bears Women are currently fifth in the Metro Bank One Day Cup standings with 22 points from 11 matches, and their next fixture is against Yorkshire on August 19.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com